Iran

Home Of The Friendliest People In The World

Well, backpacking in Iran is a bit like that. Your mum will probably raise an eyebrow or two, but don’t let that scare you off. Sure, things got a little hairy after the Islamic Revolution in 1979, but the days of embassy sackings and axis-of-evil-ing are long gone. Instead, the country is now eagerly welcoming back Western tourists.

With snow-capped mountains in the north, endless deserts in the middle and turquoise-water beaches in the south, Iran will keep surprising you with its varied natural beauty. Get lost in the bazaars, munch on dirt-cheap street food, see what life under the strict Islamic laws is like, get invited home for dinner by total strangers and meet some of the most hospitable people in the world.